Tension and physiotherapy table



Sept. 18, 1928.

O. P. SPILMAN TENSION AND PHYSIO-THERAPHY TABLE 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 15, 1926 Sept. 1a, 192&

O. P. SPILMAN TENSION AND PHYSIO-THERAPHYTABLE Filed Feb. 15, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fjwuentoz Sept; 18, 1928.

O. P. SPILMAN TENSION AND PHYSIO-THERAPHY TABLE Filed Feb. 15, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 O gwuentoz Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

warren SEAttgs OLIVER P. SPILISIAN,

OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

New.

? at. T

TENSION AND PHYSI OTHERAP Y TABLE.

Application filed February doctors, or by the patient, whereby tension or spinal adjustment ma y be accomplished by mechanical means.

It is an object of the invention to provide a supporting table adapted to produce a tension or traction upon the spine of the patient to assist nature in relieving the extreme pressure on the vertebral-cartilage and also to allow a pulsating or vibrating movement within the control of the patient himself to cause a relaxing influence upon the muscles'and ligaments of the back and spine. It is desired to produce a device capable of causing pulsations at different positions upon the table, whereby the desired manipulation of the muscles and spine of the pa tient may be'acco-mplished.

It is also an object to so construct the device that the different tensions, spinal adjustments and manipulations to be accomplished by the invention may be largely within the control of the patient himself, thus making it unnecessary to visit the doctors ofiice'at each time a treatment is desired. Other objects to be accomplished by the device residingin the particular construction and arrangement of the parts will be more particularly set forth in the specification, which follows. 1 f

Referring to the drawingherewith, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a table embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the device taken immediately below the up per frame of the device. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken approximately cen-V trally of the device, and'Fi'gs/5 and 6 are vertical sections taken on they planes 55 and 66, respectively, of Fig. 3. Like numerals ofreference are employed to designate like parts in all the views.

In constructing my device, I provide a i lower frame work or housing A; having two' opposite sides, 1 and 2, and two end plates, 3 and 4, respectively. There. is also a: bottom support 5, thus making up an elongated box which constitutes the main portionof the frame work. An'up'per table 6 is supported upon the lower frame, thus'prO- vided, said table projecting slightlybeyond the edges of the frame work on all sides, as will be clearly understood from the drawing. In connection withv the table, I provide means for tensicning' or stretching 15, 1926. Serial No. 88,210.

the spine of the patient. This means includes a harness for the feet, indicated at C, and comprising a slidable bar 7, preferably of some light material, such as wood, adapted to move longitudinally of the table and Pro ecting from the footboard 2 through an opening 8 therein. The outer end of the said bar has an upwardly extendmg post 9 thereon which has a cross piece '10at a point above the level of the table t). This cross piece 10 has a strap 11 formed into a loop to fit about the feet of the patient and secured at its ends within a yoke 12, secured at the ends of the cross bar 10. One of the ends of each strap has a snap 13 thereon to detachably engage with the yoke 12. The inner end of the slidable bar 7 extends to a point somewhat past the middle of the frame of the table and has hooks 14 at the end which serve to connect the same by means of springs 15 with rods 16 extending through the headboard 3 of the table and secured thereon by means of nuts 17.

The foot harness is adapted to be moved away from the table by means of a flexible member 18, beneath the bar 7 connected to a staple 19 in the lower side of the bar, and extending forwardly about a pulley 20, secured to a support 21 upon the footboa'rd 4 of the table. It then is brought back and wound about the shaft 22 mounted at its ends in bearings supported upon the sideboards of the frame. One end of said shaft extends through the side plate 1 and has a crank arm 28 thereon by means of which the shaft may be rotated to' wind up the flexible member 18 thereon. The ratchet wheel 24 is fixed rigidly on said shaft at a point adjacent the side 1, and a pawl 25 pivotally secured upon the side wall 1, is held in engagement with the teeth of said ratchet wheel by means of a spring 26. Said pawl may be withdrawn from its position in contact with the ratchet through a link 27 connected to said pawl at 28 and to a lever 29, pivotally mounted at 30 upon the side ofthe box. The opposite end of the lever 29 is connected through a rod or link 31 with an arm 32 mounted rigidly upon a shaft 33 projecting through the side wall 1 and having on its outer end an operating arm 34. It will be obvious that the movement of the arm 34 in the roper direction Will serve to force the ro 31 toward the ratchetwheel, thus withdrawing the link 27 and the pawl and releasing the ratchet wheel and all wing the springs to withdraw the foot harness, relieving the tension upon the patient. On the other hand, the winding up of the cable 18 upon the shaft 22 will force the bar 7 and the foot harness outwardly from the frame and place a tension longitudinally of the table.

There is also a harness D for the upper end of the body. Said harness includes a cross bar mounted in an upright support 36, pivotally connected at its lower end to. a plate 37, secured upon the table 6 at a point adjacent the end 4: thereof. The upright 36 is movable to some extent through the use of a threaded rod 38 extending through a threaded plate 89 mounted the head end of the table and having a thumb nut 40 at the outer end of said screw 38. The inner end of the threaded rod has swivel connection at 41 with the upright 36. At each end of the cross bar 35 is a staple 12, which furnish-es the support for a loop 43, of flexible material strong enough to withstand.

' I the usual. strain exerted thereon, said loops being adapted to engage below the arms of the patient. There is. also a loop 44, of some flexible mate-rial, adapted to be secured below the chin of the patient, said loop 44 having a cross connecting piece 45 detachably connected at one end to the loop 44 and so cured at other end in a fixed position upon the other side of the loop. The said cross piece may be connected behind the neck of the patient.

At each side ot the table, I may provide longitudinal bars 46, which extend from a position adjacent-the, head of the patient to a point about n'iidw-ay of the table. This rodmay be grasped by the patient and may furnish an attaching rneans for straps or can... to be tightened across the body (if the patient. The ends of these bars are mounted pii'otally at 47 within brackets 48, secured at the edges oi the. table.

Centrally of" the table in a transverse directionand somewhat toward the head end oi the table, I prov-id? 21 Cushion 49 which is adapted to be inflated by pneumatic This cushion is secured to. the upper side of the table and may be composed of fabric or rubber, on any sii'nilar flexible material. Bencath the same, I provide two pneumatic tubes 50a arranged longitudinally of the cushion and spaced sliorhtly apart, as will be noted particularly from Fig. 6. Siaid tubes are adapted to be inflated to any desired ex tent by means of tubes 51 and 52 connected through the upper plate 1 of the table and secure; within the box below to valves 53 a 5,4 respectively. Each of said valves hes a valve rod connected therewith, extending laterally through the side 1 of the box and having an arm 55 on the outer end by means of which it may be manipulated.

which is connect by means of a rod 62 to a crank arm 63. upon shaft 64, extending illy through the side of the plate 1 and ing an ooer ting lever 65 thereon. bv eans of which the connecting rod 62 may be moved to open or close the valve 59,

it will be noted that when the valves 53 and 5=l are both opened the two tubes 50 may he simultaneously supplied with air, but the air may be cut off from either one of the tubes by the manipulation of either of the valves or 54, desired.

fieyond the valve 59 the p -.e is extended a toward the foot of the table for con o at 66 with an air pump 67, having a n'ocating plunger therein operable row-h a piston rod 6.8. connected at its cl to awrist pin 69 Within a crank in 79 fl upon a shaft 71. The said gm. 7? .oteted through a belt and pulley connect 72 with a shaft 7 3., parallel therewith and supported on uprights resting upon the baseboard 5 of the frame. The shaft 73 has pulley and belt connection 7 1 with a motor {'5 Thus the operation of the motor will be connected through the speed reducing mechanism supplied by the belt and pulley connections, just described, to the shaft 71 and through the crank arm thereon to the pump 67. I prcter a reciprocating pump, of this character because of the ulsating effect which may be obtained thereby. The tubes 50 may be deflated to any desired extent, when desired, by means 01% outlet tubes 78 d 79 extending from the tubes through the upper table 6 and through valves 80 to the atmosphere. Said valves 80 are operable to be opened or closed by hand-operated levers 81km the outer side of the side board 1.

I also contemplate the use of a separate pneumatic bag or tube 7 6. which is movable to any position along the table. Said bag is slightly elongated and is flattened so that it may be placed beneath the heel; of the patient. t is connected by a flexible tube 77 to a pipe 78 extending through the side wall 1 of the frame and connecting with a l e 83, which is operable through the rod 60-, previously referred to. Beyond the valve 83. the pipe is extended around and connected at 84 to. the pipe 85 connected with the pump. From Fig. 3 it w ll be noted that the valves 59 and 83 are arranged at different angles relative to each other so that when the rod 60 is moved through the means. of the connecting rod 62, one valve will be opened when the other is closed.

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The tube 77, leading to the movable bag 76. has a relief valve thereon within the control of the patient. This is provided through a tube 86 connected to the tube 77 and having on its outer end a valve 87, which may be opened by depressing a plunger having a button thereon. Thus, when the patient wishes to relieve the pressure due to the actien ot' the bag 76. he may do so by depress in; the button 88 in an obvious manner.

The pump (37 may be :n'l iustcd lon Itudinally of the box to all'ect the posit on of the plunger therein through the fact that the said pump is connected at i s discharge eni'. pivotally with an upright support 90. Said support is tixed upon a til. liilable within guides 92, fixed on the bottom T of the frame. The support for the pump i be moved longitudinally in it guii'les l) means of a lever $3 pivoted midway be ween its ends upon the s de 1 of the box and mu nected at its lower end to a bracket .H upon the supporting )late 91. its up' formed into a laterally extendin a whica projects through a slot 96 f of the box and is adapted to be n14" so as to vary the position of lhus, when the pump is in a posit.

from the operating share will move so as to incompletcl, the air within the pump barrel. pump is moved closer to the said plunger will be forced more nearl discharge end of the barrel and will thus exert. somewhat greater pressure upon the air which is discharged into the tubes which are to be inflated. It is desired tiat the bag 76 may be placed at any position along the spine of the patient and to pump air into the said bag in pulsating charges. This is accomplished through the rei.

a type of plunger which 1 employ. Then is no check valve in the line connec-ting th bhulder or bag, 76 will the pump. Thus on the forward movement of the plunger the air will be forced into the bag", but on the vithdrawal oi the plunger the air may be moved outwardly again, thus causing the pulsating etlect upon the bag" which will act to manipulate the back of the patient in the manner desired.

\Vhen a patient has been placed upon the table and the harnesses at the toot and llOtt 'l ends of the table properly adjusted so as to place the tension longitudinally upon the patient, the tubes may be inflate-Lt to still 'l'urther increase the tension upon the spine and to flex the same upwardlv. It will be obvious that either of the ill? 50 may be inflated separately or by a proper manipulation of the valves 55, the tubes ma be inflated alternately so as to rock the patient from ide to side so as to obtain a further lateral flexing of the spine. This arranefl nicut, together with the action of the mor in, L

cairn h= zn wnitzi 'zwx or" my consimction will b c The structure will he of great use. no tors in their ollices but will also be apable oi private use where the patient wishes stretching, ad iustments or manipulation c-t the spine. The operz'itine levers placed so that the patient may operate the l on s from his poszhion upon the The iuoven'ient of the lever ill will upon the patient at any sicn of the valve 83 will 0 to control the pressure of the bag s i of the patient. It thereb pltfi'lt ih a th rapeutic device capable of ti t. nd extensive use.

M cl im as new and desire to protect ya th tens on in 0 device ot the character described, crt no b 7-1. table thereon having a and a foot end. harness members at .r ails. means to vary the distance v:etwecn said i ncs tne1nberr-.-. a cushion on said table. a plurality of pneumatic tubes lonniitudiaally of said cushion. means to separat v inlate said tubes, and means to separatel deflate said tubes, for the purpose stated.

2. In a. device of the haracter described, a snppor;in box. a table thereon, harness members at. the ends of said table. means to vary the distan e between the said harness members. a cushion on said table, parallel pneumatic tubes in said cushion. means to scparatelr inflate said tubes means to sep- ."rately dellatc said tubes. and a pneumatic bag mova le on said table in the mann r described.

3. in a device of the character described, a supper-tine box. a table thereon. harness members at the ends of said table. means to varv the distan e between said harness members, a cushion arranged lop 'udinally of said table. parallel pneinnatic tubes adapted to e separately inflated and de dated, a. pneumatic. bag adjus able to various positions on said table, and .llS to force air into said bag.

4-. In a device of the character described, a support. a table thereoin attaching: means at each end said table. a cush on arranged nitudinallv of said table, parallel pneutic tribes in said cushion adapted to be separately inflated and deflated. a pncur matie bag adjustable to various positions on said table, and means to introduce air into said bag in uniform pulsations.

5. A therapeutic device for use in the treatment of a patient, comprising a support, means at each end thereof to secure a patient on said support, means to exert tension between said securing means, a pneumatic cushion on said support, means to vary the pressure in diti'crcnt parts of said pneumatic cushion, and manuall; operated means to relieve said teznien and deflate said cushion.

6. A therapeutic device for use in the treatment of a patient, comprising a table, means at each end ot said table to secure a patient thereon, a. pneumatic cushion on said table, means to var the pneumatic pressure in parts of said pneumatic cushion, a movable pneumatic bag, and mechanically operated means to alternately expand and deflate said bag.

7. A therapeutic device for use in the treatment of a patient, comprising a table, a central pneumatic cushion on said table. a pair of parallel pneumatic tubes within said cushion, a reciprocating air pump beneath said table, connections between said pump and said tubes, separately operated valves in each tube, separate discharge valves connected With said tubes, and mechanical means to operate said pump.

8. A therapeutic device for use in the treatment of a patient, comprising a table, a cushion on said table, pneumatic tubes within said cushion, an air pump, separate vonnections between said pump and said tubes, means to separately deflate said tubes, a movable pneumatic bag, a tube connecting said pump and said bag and a relief valve connected with said tube adapted to be ad tuatod by said patient.

9. In a device of the character described, a support a table thereon, attaching means at each end of said table, a cushion fixed on said table longitudinally thereof, and pneumatic tubes in said cushion longitudinally of the table, said tubes being adapted to be separately inilated tor the purpose described.

In tcsimony whereof I hereunto afiiX my signature this 10th day oi February, A. D. 1926.

OLIVER P. SPILMAN. 

